Sunday December 7: Evolution of the Heart

To Practice

• Breath Prayer of Consent: Take some time this week, perhaps at the beginning or end of your sit, to take three slow breaths.

With each inhale, pray gently within: “Christ, breathe Your love into me.”

With each exhale, pray gently within: “Shape my heart in Your compassion.”

Then sit quietly and simply feel the breath arrive and leave. Let it be the subtle reminder that transformation is received, not achieved. God’s own life moves in us as quietly as breath. This is a very gentle, physical “yes” to Christ’s coming.

• Gestures of Reconnection: Identify one relationship where there is even a small degree of distance, tension, or unspoken withholding. Ask for the grace to make a simple gesture of reconnection this week:
  • a sincere greeting
  • a compassionate listening
  • a softening of tone
  • an apology
  • a word of affirmation
  • or a willingness to see the other person in a kinder light

The act itself is not the point. The contemplative posture is: Let Christ’s compassion take shape in me where I least want it to.

If you wish to re-read the full email reflection, you may do so here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4459094698?pwd=b0hoeWR4dTRoL0NGV3pIUjB5MFVVQT09

I really appreciate your comments on the artwork, Pamela. I was taken by it as well, didn’t know quite what to make of it. I think you captured it as well as it could be captured. I read up a bit on the artist and I think your “everything” take aligns with his vision. Very interesting. I had never seen the artist’s work. And I humbly venture that Tanuja would have heartily approved.

Tom

Thank you, Tom, for taking the time to write. The Everything works in all ways and all times. And now Tanuja is in/with The Everything. God bless you, Tom. – Pamela

A grand one-two practice combination!

First, Father Keating: “This is the great gift of contemplative practice: we begin to live from a deeper place, where God’s love becomes the source of our seeing and the measure of our actions.”

Second, the writer of today’s reflection: “the act itself is not the point. The contemplative posture is: let Christ’s compassion take shape in me where I least want it to.”

Place where I least want it to: words of encouragement and affirmation with a distant, distanced sibling served as my coursework this week. Glad to have these contemplative tools in my kit. <3 linda

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